3. Brand agrees without any question because, of course, the industry is “buzzing” about QR codes and – Bam!!!!, those ugly, black and white, kinda but not really futuristic, brand graffiti is now popping up everywhere.

Brands, “gamifying” a user experience needs a payoff, and QR codes don’t deliver. With QR codes, users have to take out their phone, download an app, aim their camera perfectly, let the reader take the picture (if you are lucky, many times the “focus” won’t work), and then get a coupon or marketing message… BIG DEAL – if you want to send them a message or coupon, then just do it. Don’t make the user go through 5-7 steps to generate something that a simple ** campaign (dial **DQ or **USA) or text campaign does.

Why Gamify? Because people deploy game mechanics in non-game based applications every day. We have ringtones to achieve status, we use our American Express Cards to level up for “cool things”, and we become members of the million mile clubs just to use the lounges. Our lives utilize ‘gamification’ mechanics every day, and this has been true since the dawn of mankind. Why Gamify? intends to break down non-traditional applications and introduce leaders in these fields to comment on what has worked, what hasn’t worked, and their best guess for the future of ‘gamification’ in their fields. Why Gamify? intends to bring together their insight on how ‘gamification’ and new technology will impact the way the average individual, teacher, business leader, entertainer, athlete, student and beyond thinks about ‘gamification’ in their lives.